There is second parable found in Luke 18:1-8 that I wish to share in response to my devotion back on Friday of last week. In verse one we read, “And He spake a parable unto them, that men ought always to pray and not to faint.”

Jesus wants us to learn to keep praying even when our prayers are not immediately answered. Again he gives a parable to illustrate and drive home this truth.

He describes a local magistrate, a judge “which feared not God neither regarded a man.” In other words, he was utterly unmerciful and had not a sense of morality or justice. This sounds like some in our court system today. Jesus said a “widow” came to Him seeking justice from an “adversary.” Widows in those days were mostly defenseless. In a complete male-dominated society, women were not heard. Someone had taken advantage of her and robbed her of what little she had. The judge listened to her but “would not for a while.” He waited. He put her off. Read today’s verse written above. What he would not do out of compassion, he did because of her persistence.

Again we see the contrast. God is not an unjust judge but a merciful Father. If persistence brings a response from a pitiless man how much more will persistence touch the heart of a compassionate God?

The point of both of these parables is to “pray without ceasing,” pray always, keep on praying, keep on seeking, keep on knocking because God loves persistence and will answer your prayers.